Definition
The .450 Marlin is a centerfire rifle cartridge developed by Marlin Firearms in the United States for use in big‑game hunting rifles. It is a large‑bore, straight‑walled cartridge designed to deliver high energy on target while complying with certain hunting regulations that restrict the use of tapered or bottlenecked cartridges.
Overview
Introduced in the year 2000, the .450 Marlin was created to provide a modern, high‑performance alternative to older big‑bore cartridges such as the .45‑70 Government and the .458 Winchester Magnum. The cartridge is primarily chambered in Marlin’s Model 4508 and Model 4508L rifles, which feature a 22‑in. barrel and a rotary bolt action. The .450 Marlin is marketed for hunting medium to large North American game, including deer, elk, and bear, as well as for use in regions where straight‑wall cartridge restrictions apply.
Etymology/Origin
The name “.450 Marlin” combines the nominal bullet diameter (approximately .450 inches) with the manufacturer’s name, Marlin Firearms. The cartridge’s development stemmed from Marlin’s desire to produce a straight‑wall cartridge with performance comparable to the .458 Winchester Magnum but in a shorter case suitable for standard rifle actions.
Characteristics
- Case Design: Straight‑wall, rimmed case derived from the .458 Winchester Magnum case, shortened to 2.85 in. overall length.
- Bullet Diameter: Approximately .452 in. (11.5 mm).
- Typical Bullet Weights: 240–300 grains (15.5–19.4 g), commonly using soft‑point or polymer‑tipped designs for controlled expansion.
- Muzzle Velocity: Ranges from about 2,100 ft/s (640 m/s) with a 300‑grain bullet to 2,200 ft/s (670 m/s) with a 240‑grain bullet, depending on specific load and barrel length.
- Muzzle Energy: Approximately 2,600–2,800 ft·lb (3,500–3,800 J), sufficient for reliable penetration on large game.
- Pressure: SAAMI maximum average pressure of 46,000 psi (317 MPa).
- Intended Use: Designed for hunting applications where high energy and deep penetration are required, and where straight‑wall cartridges are mandated by law.
Related Topics
- .45‑70 Government – an older, widely used straight‑wall cartridge for large‑bore rifles.
- .458 Winchester Magnum – a bottlenecked cartridge that served as the parent case for the .450 Marlin’s design.
- Straight‑wall cartridge regulations – hunting laws in various U.S. states (e.g., Ohio, Indiana) that restrict hunters to straight‑wall cartridges for certain game.
- Marlin Model 4508 – the primary rifle platform chambered for the .450 Marlin cartridge.
- SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute) – the organization that sets standardized pressure and dimension specifications for the .450 Marlin.